Continuous extractor



Oct. 30, 1951 v D, M MGBEAN 2,573,585

CONTINUOUS yEXTRACTOR Filed April 26, 194e V00 loc /r te-n/ f' vlan k I/L/; 7 .//7g ,l/ 38 l 1 @if L/f/ i f1 57 ,59 J .50n I n 56 59 .18 sz 3734 I N VEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 30, li951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTINUOUS EXTRACTORDouglas M. McBean, Rochester, N. Y.

Application April 26, 1946, Serial No. 665,239

Claims. l

This invention relates to continuous extractors, and more particularlyto an extractor for continuously extracting juice from grapesrand thelike. Y

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an extractorinto which material from which the contained liquid is to be extracted,

such as grapes or grape mash, can be introduced in a constant ow andwhich separates the grape juice from the pulp as a continuous operation.

Another object is to provide such an extractor which separates juicefrom the pulp by. first 'impacting the mash andthereafter gently butwith progressively increased force pressing'the pulp so as to expressthe .remaining juice contained therein.

Another object is to provide such an extractor with means forcontrolling or varying the extent or degree of extraction of the juicefrom the pulp.

Another object is to provide such an extractor with means forcontinuously and separately removing the extracted juice and pulp fromthe extractor.

Other objects are to provide such an extractor which is compact, sturdyand simple in construction, not liable to get out of order, easy to keepclean and maintain, and inexpensive to manufacture.

The accompanying drawing is a vertical, central section through thecontinuous extractor forming the subject of the present invention.

The numeral I represents a generally cylindrical frame or housing whichis open at its upper end and closed at its lower end, except as morefully described hereinafter, the base of this housing being providedwith feet which rest upon any suitable supporting surface. A hollowshaft 2 is journaled at its lower end in the bottom of the housing I,and its upper end issupported by a bearing 3 mounted on an arm of abracket 4 which may be secured to the housing I in any suitable manner.The means shown for journaling the lower end of the shaft 2 in thebottom of the housing I include a bearing 5 arranged on a slightlyreduced end extension of the shaft 2, a nut 6 screwed on the extremethreaded end portion of the reduced shaft end and thus holding thebearing in position on the shaft, a cup-shaped journal member Isupporting the bearing 5, and a bearing 8 in turn supporting the member1 and being mounted in a central recess provided in the bottom of thehousing I. The shaft` 2 is shown as being rotated by apulley Sffast tothe shaft and-belts"k IllV driven by a power source gnot 2 7 shown)although any other suitable driving means may be employed.

Fast to the lower end of the shaft 2 is an inner basket or cylinder IIhaving a series of radial holes I2 arranged in the upper part thereof,the lower part I3, however, of the cylinder II being unprovided withsuch holes. The grapesA or grape-mash are introducedinto the upper endof the 'shaft 2 from a supply pipe I4 and flow into the inner cylinderII through holes I5 provided in the shaft 2. A plug I6 is arranged inthe shaft 2 immediately below the holes I5 to prevent. th'e lowerportion of the hollow shaft from becoming plugged with mash. I

An outer basket or cylinder I1, the upper por-- tion of which isimperforate, encloses the inner cylinderv II in spaced relation theretoand is arranged inside the housing I. This outer cylinder is journaledon the lower end of shaft 2 by being threadedly secured to the journalmember 1, as indicated at I8. A seal I9 is interposed' be'- tween thecentral bore provided in the bottom o the outer cylinder Il and theshaft 2. i

The upper, open end of the outer cylinder-III is covered by a coverplate 20 having an internally threaded depending rim which screws on theexternal threads provided on the upper end of the outer cylinder I'I.The cover 20 has an upwardly extending neck 2| which surrounds a portionof the shaft 2 in slightly spaced relation'thereto; a seal 22 beinginterposed between the `cover 20 and the shaft 2. The cover 20 isjournaled on'an arm of the bracket 4 by means of the bearingf23 carriedthereby. The cover 20 and outer cylin-i der II are rotated by means of apulley 24, keyed, as shown, to the neck 2| of the cover and belts 25which are operatively connected to any suitable power source (notshown), although any other suitable driving means may be employed. Theinner and outer cylinders, II and Il, rei spectively, are caused torotate in the same direction in a maner hereinafter described and asshown by the arrows on the drawing. y

The exterior of the inner cylinder I I is formed to provide a thread 26which is shown as being rectangular in cross-section and of uniformpitch throughout its entire axial length. Opposingthie thread 26 andformed on the vinner periphery ,of the outer cylinder II is a thread2'I. Thisthead 2'I is shown as having ridges separated by grooves ofconcave form .in cross-section and has a which progressively decreasesVfrom theftop'of the outer cylinder`v I'Iitoward the bottom theref-v of,j' this thread also progressively decreasingl depth toward the ibottomofthe outercylinde'r-i awa-,sas

ent invention provides a continuous; juice v extractor which separatesthe juice from grapes and like material by first impacting the mash vandthereafter gently but with progressively increased force pressing theremainingpulp so as to express the residual juice contained in the pulp.Further, the degree of dryness of the pulp after treatment can beregulated as desired and the treated pulpcan be continuously removedfrom the extractor as Well as the juice separated therefrom. Also, theextractor has the advantages of compactness, strength, simplicity,dependability, ease of cleaning and maintenance, and inexpensivemanufacture.

I claim Y 1. A continuous extractor comprising a frame, a hollow shaftjournaled on said frame and having openings, a cylinder mounted on saidshaft and having openings in the side thereof opposite from said shaftopenings butin spaced relation thereto, an outer cylinder surroundingsaid first cylinder and being journaled on said shaft, means forrotating said shaft, means for rotating said outer cylinder relative tosaid rst cylinder, means for introducing material to be treated intosaid holloW shaft, said material being conducted through said shaftopenings and through said openings in said first mentioned cylinder,thread means arranged on the opposing peripheral surfaces of thecylinders for compressing said material, and means for removing theliquid separated from said material. Y

2. A continuous extractor comprising a frame, a hollow shaft journaledon said frame and having openings, a cylinder mounted on said shaft andhaving openings in the side thereof opposite from said shaft openingsbut in spaced relation thereto, an outer cylinder surrounding said firstcylinder and being journaled on said shaft, means for rotating saidshaft, means for rotating said outer cylinder relative to said firstcylinder, means for introducing material to be treated into said hollowshaft, said material being conducted through said shaft openings andthrough said openings in said rst mentioned cylinder, thread meansarranged on the opposing peripheral surfaces of the cylinders forcompressing said material, means for continuously removing the liquid`separated from said material, and means for separately and continuouslyremoving the residue of said treated material.

3. A continuous extractor comprising inner and outer cylinders rotatableabout a common axis, means for rotating one cylinder relative to theother, means for introducing material to be treated into the spacebetween said cylinders, means arranged on the opposing peripheralsurfaces of said cylinders for movingsaid material toward one end ofsaid cylinders and progressively compressing said material thereby toexpress the liquid from said material, said outer cylinder beingprovided with an outlet for the residue of said treated material andmeans arranged adjacent the end of said outer cylinder toward which saidmaterial is moved for changing the-size of said outlet, means forcollecting and removing the said residue discharged through said outlet,and means for removing the liquid separated from said material.

4. A continuous extractor comprising an inner cylinder rotatable about avertical axis and having-openings in its upper part and having animperforate portion in its lower part, `an outer cylinder surroundingsaid inner cylinder and rotatable about said vertical axis and having animperforate portion surrounding said upperand lower parts of said innercylinder, means for rotating said cylinders in the same direction but atdifferent speeds, means for impacting material to be treated againstsaid upper part of said inner cylinder thereby to express some of theliquid contained in the material, the extracted liquid remaining insaid` inner cylinder and collecting in the said imperforate portion ofthe lower part thereof and the balance of the partially treated materialpassing through said openings due to the action of centrifugal forcethereon into the annular space between said inner and outer cylinders,means arranged in said space for compressing said partially treatedmaterial, the liquid expressed from said partially treated material bysuch compression flowing into said inner cylinder through said openingstherein, means for continuously discharging theV liquid from said innercylinder, and means for continuously discharging the residue of saidtreated material from said space.

' 5. A continuous extractor comprising an inner cylinder rotatable abouta vertical axis and having openings in its upper part and having animperforate portion in its lower part, an outer cylinder surroundingsaid inner cylinder and rotatable about said vertical axis and having animperforate portion surrounding said upper and lower parts of said innercylinder, means for rotating said cylinders in the same direction but atdifferent speeds, means for impacting material to be treated againstsaid upper part of said inner cylinder thereby to express some of theliquid contained in the material, the extracted liquid remaining in saidinner cylinder and collecting in the said imperforate portion of thelower part thereof and the balance of the partially treated materialpassing through said openings due to the action of centrifugal forcethereon into the annular space between said inner and outer cylinders,an external thread arranged on said inner cylinder, an internal threadarranged on said outer cylinder, said threads having their respectivepitches and depths so arranged as to move said partially treatedmaterial downwardly through said space and progressively compress saidpartially treated material, the liquid expressed from said partiallytreated material by such compression owing into said inner cylinderthrough said openings therein, and means for continuously dischargingthe liquid from said inner cylinder, the lower part of said outercylinder having an outlet leading from said space and throughwhich theresidue of the treated material is continuously discharged.

6. A continuous extractor comprising an inner cylinder rotatable about avertical axis and having openings in its upper part and having animperforate portion in its lower part, an outer cylinder surroundingsaid inner cylinder and rotatable about said vertical axis and having animperforate portion surrounding said upper and lower parts of said innercylinder, means for rotating said cylinders in the same direction but atdifferent speeds, means for impacting material to be treated againstsaid upper part of said inner cylinder thereby to express some of theliquid contained in the material, the extracted liquid remaining in saidinner cylinder and collecting in the said imperforate portion of thelower part the action of centrifugal force thereon into the annularspace between said inner and outer cylescasos:

. 7 irders,l aia-external threadl arranged ori said inner' cylinder',anv internal' thread arranged on'said outer' cylinder, said threadshaving `their respec-f tive pitches and depths so' arranged as to move'saidY partially treated material. downwardly through said space andprogressively' compress Ysaidv partially treated material, the liquidex-7 pressed from said `partially treated material by such compressionflowing into said inner cylinder through said openings, therein,- meansVfor continuously discharging the liquid fromsaid inner cylinder, andadjustable outlet Ameans arranged adjacent the lower end of said outercylinder' for' continuously discharging the residue of the treatedmaterial from said space;

' 7. A- continuoug extractor compris-ing a housing having a trough inthe base thereof and an out-'- let leading from said trough, an innercylinder journaled in said housing so as to rotate about a vertical axisand having openings in the bottom thereof, an outer cylinder surroundingsaid inner cylinder on the side and bottom thereof and journaled in saidhousing so as to rotate about said vertical axis and having a trough inthe bf-Jttomy thereof and openings in the bottom oi this trough, meansfor rotating one of said cylinders relative' to the other, means forintroducing material to be treated into the annular space between said Ycylinders, means for compressing said material in saidspace, and meansVfor permitting the liquid expressed from said material to enter saidinner cylinder, the liquid in said inner cylinder being continuouslydischarged therefrom through said first mentioned openings into saidsecond' mentioned/trough, and through said second mentioned openingsinto said rst mentioned trough from which it is discharged through saidoutlet.

8. A continuous extractor comprising a housing including a base havinginner and outer troughs and an koutlet for each trough, an innercylinder journaled in said housing s0 as to rotate about a vertical axisand having openings in the bottom thereof, an outer cylinder surroundingsaid inner cylinder on the side and bottom thereof and journaled in saidhousing so as t0 rotate about said vertical axis and having a trough inthe bottom thereof arranged below said inner cylinder openings, saidouter cylinder trough having openings in the bottom thereof, saidinner`trough in said i housing being arranged below said last mentionedopenings, means for rotating one of said cylinders relative to theother, means for introducing material to be treated into the annularspace benecting said space with said outer trough whereby the residue ofthe treated material is continuously discharged fromY said spacethrough. said outer cylinder openings into said outer trough and jthence through said outer trough outlet.

9. A continuous extractor comprising a housing including a base havinginner and outer troughs and an outlet for eachV trough, an innercylinder journaled Vin said housing so as to rotate about a verticalaxis and having openings in theY bottom thereof, an outer cylindersurrounding said cylinder on the side and bottom thereof and journaledin said housing so as to rotate about said vertical axis and having atrough in the bottom thereof arranged. below said inner cylinderopenings, said outer cylinder trough having openings in the bottomthereof, said inner trough in said housing being arranged below saidlast mentioned openings', means for rotating one of said cylindersrelativeto thev other, means for introducing material to be treated intothe annularspace between said cylindersfmeans for compressing saidmaterial in said space, means for permitting the liquid expressed fromsaid material to enter said inner cylinder, the liquid in said innercylinder being continuously discharged therefrom through said inner'cylinder openings into said outer cylinder trough, through said outercylinder trough' openings into said innter trough from which it isdischarged through said inner trough outlet, said outer cylinder havingopenings connecting said space with said outer trough whereby theresidue of the treated material is continuously' discharged from saidspace through said outer cylinder openings into said outer trough andthence through said outer trough outlet, and means for regulating thesize of Ysaid outerrcylinder openings so as to control the dryness ofthe residue of the treated material'.4

10. A'continuous extractor, comprising an inner cylinder rotatable abouta vertical axis, an outer cylinder surrounding said inner cylinderin'spaced relation thereto and rotatable about said vertical axis, meansfor rotating said cylinders in the same' directionk but at differentspeeds, means arranged to'admit the material to be treated into saidinner cylinder to be acted upon by centrifugal force and to be impactedagainst the inner cylinder thereby to*v expressA some of the liquidcontained in said material, conducting means arranged for movement ofthe balance of the partially treated Inaterial from the interior of saidinner cylinder into the annular space between said inner and outercylinders, means arranged in said space for com-V pressing saidpartially treated material, said conducting means permitting the liquidexpressed from said partially treated material by such compression tonow from said annular spacey countercurrent rto the movement of saidpartly treated material into said inner cylinder, means for continuouslydischarging the liquid from said inner cylinder, and means forcontinuously discharging the residue of said treatedV material from saidannular space. Y

DOUGLAS M. MCBEAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 433,691 Morrell Aug. 5, 1890750,668 Liedbeck Jan. 26, 1904 780,415 Eavens'on Jan. 17, 1905V1,467,737 Schueler Sept. 11, 1923 Y 2,415,600 Meakin Feb. 11, 194721,419,545 Gray Apr. 29, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Y Y Y, Country IDate 26,177 f Germany Feb. 27, 1884 234,029 Germany f 'Apr.28.f1911

